Load pallet construction

ABSTRACT

A load pallet is constructed of modular sections. The individual modular units are each of box girder construction with the sides of the sections being formed of deeper box girders than the center portions. A number of modular sections are joined together to construct a pallet of the desired length with solid end plates being provided between each of the adjacent sections. The pallets are suitable for any use such as load bearing pallets in a tractor-trailer pallet load carrying assembly.

O Unlted States Patent 1191 3,759,192 Oehler 1 Sept. 18,1973

[ LOAD PALLET CONSTRUCTION 3,592,145 7/1971 Petry 108 51 1 1 1mm CarlOeI-Ier, Deerfield Beach, 13131133 151333 5835121711... 11311:: 1335213,561,374 2/1971 Honderich 108/51 Assigneez oehler su p y, AkronLllbkfil' et al. 22 i Jam 2 1971 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1 pp No110,487 1,121,291 4/1956 France 214/515 Primary Examiner-PaulH. Gilliam[52] US. Cl 108/44, 108/51, 214/515 Atmmey Q|dham & ol h [51] Int. ClA4711 20/00, 860p 1/64 58 Id 8 h he 0 care 108/51 58, 214/515 [57]ABSTRACT A load pallet is constructed of modular sections. The [56]References Cited individual modular units are each of box girder con-UNITED STATES PATENTS struction with the sides of the sections beingformed of 1,832,759 11 /1931 Bennett 108/58 x deep" than E Por A "umber1,832,773 11 /1931 Hallowell et 211...... 108/58 of modular seams areJmned together to construct 8 1,941,483 1/1934 Moorman 108/55 pallet ofthe desired length with solid end Plates being 2,934,373 4/1960 Doty214/515 provided between each of the adjacent sections. The

3,002,636 10/1961 Felbum 214/38 A pallets are suitable for any use suchas load bearing pal- 3,l52,709 10/1964 Fowler 108/44 X lets in atractor-trailer pallet load carrying assembly.

3,211,313 10/1965 Katz .1 214/515 3,540,385 11/1970 Hobart 108/58 X 4Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENTEUSEPIBIBB 3.159.192

SHEETIBFZ co N 2 w no m 3 Q INVENTOR.

CARL W. OEHLER BY Np OLDHAM a OLDHAM ATTORNEYS PATENTED SEP 1 8 I975 sum2 or 2 INVENTOR. CARL W. OEHLER FIG. 4 BY OLDHAM & OLDHAM ATTORNEYS LOADPALLET CONSTRUCTION In my application Ser. No. 61,228, filed Aug. 5,1970, for PALLET TYPE LOAD TRANSPORT AP- PARATUS, there is disclosed aload handling and transporting system which includes load supportingpallets and a tractor and center pole type trailer combination. Thepallets are provided with retractable legs so that the trailer and hitchportion of the tractor may be maneuvered under the pallet. Elevatingmeans are pro vided on the tractor and trailer pallet engaging means toraise and lower the pallets. In this system, loaded pallets arepositioned on the tractor-trailer combination and transported to thedesired location. Employing the lifting means of the tractor and trailerhitches or similar means, the loaded pallet is elevated and supported onits legs. The tractor-trailer combination may then be driven frombeneath the pallet and is ready to receive another loaded pallet. Thus,the pallets can be used for storage without tying up the tractor-trailerassembly. The arrangement also reduces the amount of handling of thegoods.

The present invention is concerned with an improved construction forpallets for use in such systems.

It is the primary object of the present invention to provide a modularpallet construction.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a load supportingpallet which may be constructed more economically than the palletsheretofore available.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a palletconstruction system which permits the construction of pallets ofdifferent lengths from modular units.

The above and other objects of the invention which will become apparentin the following detailed description are achieved by providing a palletconstruction based on a system of modular units which may be weldedtogether to form pallets of various lengths. Each of the modular unitsis of box girder construction with deeper box girders being employed toform the side portions of each modular unit than the center portion togive the units added strength as well as to provide the guiding channelfor the pallet.

For a more complete understanding of the invention and of the objectsand advantages thereof, reference should be had to the followingdetailed description and the accompanying drawings wherein there isshown a preferred embodiment of the invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a load supporting pallet constructed inaccordance with the principles of the present invention, portions of thetop surface of the pallet being broken away to show the internalstructure thereof in cross section;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the pallet of FIG. 1, partially insection;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of the underside of the palletof FIG. I, viewed from the left' front corner thereof; and

FIG. 4 is a transverse sectional view taken along the line 4-4 ofFIG. 1. I

The complete pallet is designated by the reference numeral and is formedof a number of modular sections 12 to 20. With the exception of the twofront sections 18 and 20, each of the modular sections is of the samebasic construction as is illustrated in FIG. 4. Thus, each section has atop plate 22 which covers the entire top surface of the section. Tworight angle members 24 and 26 are welded to each other and to the topplate 22 along the side portions of the section with the right anglepieces 24 and 26 extending the full length of the individual section.Side plates 28 may extend between and be welded to the lateral edge ofthe top plate 22 and the outer lateral edge of the right angle member26, the plate 28 extending the entire length of the modular section.Preferably the side plates are formed from a single metal-plate with thetop plate 22 to terminate in inwardly turned bottom flanges 29 to whichone edge of the angles 26 are secured. The two legs of the right anglemember 24, the vertical leg of the right angle member 26, and the topplate 22 form one box girder running the length of the modular section.Likewise, the two legs of the right angle portion 26, the side plate 28,or equivalent plate, and the top plate 22 form a second box girder whichalso runs the length of the modular section. This arrangement of two boxgirder-like members on either side of each modular section imparts highstrength to the section while maintaining a lightweight construction.The longitudinal center portion of each of the modular units is formedof a base plate 30, a pair of channels 32 welded to the top plate 22 andthe base plate 30, and a vertical plate 34 on the center line of themodular section and also welded to the top plate 22 and bottom plate 30.It will be noted that the channels 32 and the plate 34 are of lesserheight than the vertical legs of the angles 24 and 26 so that the baseplate 30, which extends between the facing edges of the angle members24, is positioned above the horizontal leg portions of the angles 24 and26 thus forming a wide slot or channel 36 extending longitudinally alongthe center of the bottom surface of the modular section. It should alsobe noted that the top and bottom plates 22 and 30, respectively, thevertical legs of the angles 24, the channels 32, and the vertical plate34 define four box girders also running the length of the modularsection. This serves to give additional rigidity and load carryingcapacity to the modular section and to the pallet constructed with thesesections.

Certain of the modular sections 14 may be modified by providing atopposite sides thereof, vertically extending box-like members 38 whichare open at at least their lower ends. These open ended box-like members38 receive the upper portions 40 of the pallet supporting legs. Suitablepins 44 passing through holes in the box-like members 38 and the upperleg portions 40 are provided for securing the legs in their desiredpositions. The lower ends of the leg portions 40 are telescopicallyreceived in the lower leg portions 42. Again, suitable pins or othermeans, not shown, may be provided to lock the upper and lower legportions 40 and 42, respectively, together. Each of the legs has a footmember 46 secured to the lower end'of the lower leg portion 42.

One of the modular sections 16 is provided with a downwardly projectingking pin 60. This king pin 60 extends downwardly into the groove orrecess 36 and is located on the longitudinal center line of the modularsection. The king pin 60 serves to provide a connection to the fifthwheel assembly of the trailer.

The two sections 18 and 20 which form the front end of the pallet 10 areof slightly different construction than the remaining sections. As canbe seen most clearly from FIGS. 2 and 3, the front most section 18 is ofreduced thickness. This section has an upper plate 22 and a lower plate56 which are joined by suitable side plates or integral edge channels asdescribed hereinbefore. Vertical plates or channels, similar to theplates 34 and channels 32 may be provided in the front section 18 foradditional strength, if necessary. A king pin 58 extends downwardlythrough the section 18 on the longitudinal center line thereof. Thisking pin connects with the fifth wheel assembly of the tractor. Thesecond modular section 20 has a rear portion which is of identicalconstruction to the modular sections 12. The forward portion of thesection 20, however, slopes upwardly on its underside so as to meet thebottom plate 56 of the first modular section 18. Diverging plates 54 areprovided at the forward end of the bottom plate of the modular unit 20.These diverging plates 54 serve to provide a funnel-like entrance forthe channel 36 which extends longitudinally on the bottom surface of thepallet. The sloping portion of the modular section 20 has a bottom plate52.

Vertical stake pockets 62 may be provided along the side edges of eachof the modular sections 12 to 20. Also, stake pockets 70 may be providedon the front end plate 64 of the first modular panel 18 and stakepockets 72 may be provided on the end plate 62 of the rearmost modularsection. It should be noted that while the stake pockets 62 on the sidesof the panels are shown as being located within the confines of thepanels, these pockets may be positioned externally, if desired.Likewise, the end stake pockets 70 and 72 may be positioned within theconfines of the front and rearmost panels, respectively, if desired.

A complete pallet assembly is formed by joining together the variousmodular sections. A vertical plate 68 is provided between each adjacentmodular section, with the plate 68 extending the entire width and heightof the section. These plates serve to impart strength and rigidityacross the width of the pallet assembly 10. A complete pallet assemblywill include one modular front unit 18, a second unit 20, a verticalplate 68a between the first two units 18 and 20, and a series of thebasic modular units, with plates 68 between each of the units. Theseplates 68 are welded to the adjacent ends of the modular sections withthe welds extending around the periphery of the plates at each edgethereof. The number of modular units 12 may be varied, as desired, toconstruct pallets of various lengths. Two of the modular units will beof the type having retractable or equivalent legs 40, 42. In theembodiment illustrated, these units 14 are the third and final units ofthe pallet assembly. Also, a modular unit 16 having a king pin 60 willbe provided near the rear end of the pallet assembly for engagement withthe trailer fifth wheel assembly.

It should now be apparent that there has been provided an improved loadcarrying pallet construction. By the use of the box girder type modularsections, having a channel shape top member, a lightweight but strongassembly is provided. By using a modular arrangement, pallets of varyinglengths may be easily constructed, merely by varying the number ofmodular units employed. Since the modular units are each of the samebasic construction, the units may be readily and inexpensively produced.

While, in accordance with the Patent Statutes, only the best knownembodiment of the invention has been described and illustrated indetail, it will be understood that the invention is not so limited.Reference should therefore be had to the appended claims in determiningthe true scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A load supporting pallet adapted for use with a tractor-trailercombination, comprising:

a plurality of modular sections, each section being of the same widthsas the pallet and having a flat top plate extending the length and widthof the section and being bent downward along the sides of the modularsection forming channel-shaped side edge portions;

a plurality of vertical members each secured to the top plate andextending the length of the section in spaced parallel relation with thechannel-shaped side edge portion;

at least one bottom plate secured to the lower ends of the verticalmembers and extending the length of the modular section, the top plate,bottom plate, vertical members and channel-shaped side edge portionsdefining box girder members of one depth along opposite sides of thesection with a center box girder member of lesser depth therebetween;

a plurality of solid vertical plates extending the width and depth ofpairs of adjacent modular sections and secured therebetween to fixedlyengage adjacent modular sections, such intermodular engagement allowingthe interconnection of modular sections having varying structural andload bearing characteristics;

means for connecting the pallet to the tractor-trailer combinationsecured to at least one of the modular sections; and

supporting legs attached to and depending from certain of the modularsections adjacent the sides thereof.

2. The load bearing pallet as recited in claim 1 wherein one of themodular sections is a connector section and is of greater depth at oneof its ends than at the other of its ends, the bottom surface of thesection having a sloped bottom plate with an outwardly flared entranceend formed therein aligned with the center box girder member of anadjacent modular section, and wherein a second of the modular sectionsis at a uniform depth equal to the depth of the box girder member formedbetween the box girder members along opposite sides of the section, thesecond of the modular sections forming the front most portion of thepallet and the one of the modular sections forming the next portion ofthe pallet.

3. A modular section adapted to be joined in end-toend fashion tosimilar sections to form a load supporting pallet, comprising:

a flat top plate extending the length and width of the modular section;

a plurality of vertical plates extending the length of the modularsection in spaced parallel relation to one another, the vertical platesbeing secured to the underside of the top plate;

flat bottom plates secured to the lower ends of the vertical plates andcovering the underside of the modular section, the top, vertical, andbottom plates forming a plurality of open ended box-like members whichextend the length of the modular section;

a rigid vertical member of the same width and depth 'as the modularsection secured to one end of the modular section in a width-wisedirection, the rigid the modular section is comprised of at least fiveboxlike members, a pair of box-like members on each side of the sectionbeing of greater depth than the single box-like member at the center ofthe section.

1. A load supporting pallet adapted for use with a tractortrailercombination, comprising: a plurality of modular sections, eAch sectionbeing of the same widths as the pallet and having a flat top plateextending the length and width of the section and being bent downwardalong the sides of the modular section forming channel-shaped side edgeportions; a plurality of vertical members each secured to the top plateand extending the length of the section in spaced parallel relation withthe channel-shaped side edge portion; at least one bottom plate securedto the lower ends of the vertical members and extending the length ofthe modular section, the top plate, bottom plate, vertical members andchannel-shaped side edge portions defining box girder members of onedepth along opposite sides of the section with a center box girdermember of lesser depth therebetween; a plurality of solid verticalplates extending the width and depth of pairs of adjacent modularsections and secured therebetween to fixedly engage adjacent modularsections, such intermodular engagement allowing the interconnection ofmodular sections having varying structural and load bearingcharacteristics; means for connecting the pallet to the tractor-trailercombination secured to at least one of the modular sections; andsupporting legs attached to and depending from certain of the modularsections adjacent the sides thereof.
 2. The load bearing pallet asrecited in claim 1 wherein one of the modular sections is a connectorsection and is of greater depth at one of its ends than at the other ofits ends, the bottom surface of the section having a sloped bottom platewith an outwardly flared entrance end formed therein aligned with thecenter box girder member of an adjacent modular section, and wherein asecond of the modular sections is at a uniform depth equal to the depthof the box girder member formed between the box girder members alongopposite sides of the section, the second of the modular sectionsforming the front most portion of the pallet and the one of the modularsections forming the next portion of the pallet.
 3. A modular sectionadapted to be joined in end-to-end fashion to similar sections to form aload supporting pallet, comprising: a flat top plate extending thelength and width of the modular section; a plurality of vertical platesextending the length of the modular section in spaced parallel relationto one another, the vertical plates being secured to the underside ofthe top plate; flat bottom plates secured to the lower ends of thevertical plates and covering the underside of the modular section, thetop, vertical, and bottom plates forming a plurality of open endedbox-like members which extend the length of the modular section; a rigidvertical member of the same width and depth as the modular sectionsecured to one end of the modular section in a width-wise direction, therigid vertical member providing means for fixedly interengaging separatemodular sections such that the interconnection of modular sections ofvarying structural and load bearing characteristics may be achieved. 4.The modular section according to claim 3 wherein the modular section iscomprised of at least five box-like members, a pair of box-like memberson each side of the section being of greater depth than the singlebox-like member at the center of the section.